New Delhi: The kingpin of an interstate counterfeit medicines racket has been arrested. The accused, Mohammad Aqdas Siddiqui (28), a BBA graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia and a resident of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, had been on the run since April 1. His arrest takes the total number of accused held in the case to 10. Siddique was arrested from his hometown, police said Friday.Police said the syndicate clandestinely manufactured counterfeit versions of medicines from reputed pharmaceutical companies using fake packaging material, forged labels, counterfeit trademarks and fabricated dyes that closely resembled genuine products. The fake medicines, including drugs used to treat diabetic neuropathy, nerve pain, calcium deficiency, nausea and vertigo, were allegedly sold to wholesalers and retailers at nearly 60% below the market price of genuine medicines.DCP (Crime) Aditya Gautam said, “The racket also involved suppliers, fake GST firm operators, a GST registration holder and a bank account holder, all of whom have already been arrested.”Police said the accused not only caused significant financial losses to pharmaceutical companies but also endangered public health by circulating spurious medicines.Further investigation is under way to identify the suppliers of raw materials and counterfeit packaging, trace the financial trail, and dismantle the remaining interstate network involved in the manufacture and distribution of fake medicines.